Anywhere from 50,000 to 60,000 people flock to the Church Street Marketplace, the Flynn and the Waterfront to catch some of the many jazz performances the city features.

The event usually rakes in about $4 million for the city, so organizers and local businesses say they welcome the festival with open arms.

"It's the biggest week of the year for us. It's the most work of the year too, but people are in great spirits usually. It's just a lot of fun," said restaurant owner Tim Halvorson.

He was one of the original organizers 31 years ago. Since then the festival has grown to attract top musicians and larger crowds.

"And we're having even bigger shows than we've ever had before; we have Tony Bennett. And we're doing even more than last year; we had over 100 free events, we're doing even more this year. So it's just get out, enjoy the city, enjoy the festival, and have a great time," said Jazz Festival Managing Director Linda Little.

Violinist Regina Carter will play the Flynn main stage Friday at 8 p.m.

JAZZ! IT'S EVERYONE'S FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR -- EARLIER TONIGHT I WAS LIVE AT THE KICKOFF PARTY AT HALVORSON'S FOR THE BURLINGTON DISCOVER JAZZ FESTIVAL. THIS IS THE THIRTY-FIRST YEAR OF THE THIS IS THE THIRTY-FIRST YEAR OF THE EVENT. ABOUT FIFTY TO SIXTY THOUSAND PEOPLE FLOCK TO CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE, THE FLYNN AND THE WATERFRONT FOR JAZZ FEST. ORGANIZERS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE EXCITED... Halvorson "It's the biggest week of the year for us. It's the most work of the year too, but people are in great spirits usually. It's just a lot of fun." Little "And we're having even bigger show's that we've ever had before. So have Tony Bennett. And we're doing even more that last year we had over 100 free events, we're doing even more this year. So it's just get out, enjoy the city, enjoy the festival, and have a great time." THE BURLINGTON DISCOVER JAZZ FESTIVAL USUALLY RAKES IN ABOUT FOUR MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE CITY. YOU CAN HEAR LOTS OF GREAT MUSIC DURING THE TEN OF THE FESTIVAL.. VIOLINIST REGINA CARTER WILL TAKE THE FLYNN MAINSTAGE TOMORROW AT 8PM -- TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE.